Two other equipment tips.
Wear a waterproof jacket or slicker *over* your waders and cinch it tight
with a web belt of some sort. Crashing surf will break off the slicker and
run off you rather than over your waders. The belt keeps water from pouring in if you do get hit by a wave.
If you wear a stripping bucket have a quick release buckle on it. I don't use one often, and hate the one I have, but I have observed someone with a stripping basket loaded with water struggling to untie a knot.
Other ideas (which I keep meaning to follow).
* quickly accessible switchblade or other one hand useable knife.
* head mounted flashlight.